Bellinge Community Pre-School

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children develop a love of books. They listen to staff as they read a book about a very hungry caterpillar. Children are active participants as they use props provided by staff to support the theme of the book. Staff ask, 'Who's got the apple?' and children enthusiastically shout out names as they identify who has each piece of food. This helps to support children's communication and language skills.

Children form close bonds with staff. They affectionately hug staff on arrival and seek them out when upset. Children's emotional development is supported. Staff know children well. They help children to feel safe as they understand children's interests and what supports them to settle. Children are beginning to develop in confidence but happily return to the security of key staff for reassurance.

Children learn about different animals. Staff recognise that not all children have pets. As a result, staff and parents bring in family pets to visit children. For instance, they bring in a guinea pig and children learn about what they eat, where they sleep and what their fur feels like. Children develop respect for, and learn how to be kind and caring to living creatures.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Overall, children behave well. For example, during snack time children are polite and say please and thank you to staff. While playing outdoors, children work together and attempt to tie a friend's shoelace. However, staff do not consistently provide children with clear explanations about why they should follow rules. This means that children do not always fully understand the consequences of their actions.
• Staff work in close partnership with parents. This helps staff gain an insight into children's interests and family culture. Staff provide parents with regular updates on children's progress. They sensitively support parents. For example, they hold one-to-one meetings with parents to discuss where children may benefit from referrals to other professionals and agencies.
• During a singing activity, staff engage with children and support their mathematical development. For instance, staff use their fingers to count the number of current buns with the children. However, staff deployment is inconsistent. Consequently, there are occasions when children are not fully engaged or supported to further extend their learning.
• The manager supports staff in their ongoing professional development. For example, staff access training designed to help the increased needs of children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this, staff recognise the benefits of allowing children sufficient time to think and be able to respond to questions.
• The curriculum is well planned. This is because staff make effective use of assessment. They accurately identify children's achievements and level of development. Staff use this knowledge to plan activities based on individual interests and what they want children to learn next. Children's development is routinely monitored. This helps staff to check that all children make progress in relation to their starting points.
• Children develop an awareness of their own personal care needs. Older children confidently use the toilet. They understand the importance of handwashing and this is carried out at appropriate times throughout the day. This helps to minimise the risk of infections and illness. For instance, children wash their hands on arrival to the setting, after using the toilet and prior to eating.
• Staff help children to feel safe and secure and develop a sense of belonging. For example, staff learn key words to support children who speak English as an additional language. Additionally, children enjoy tasting food from different cultures. This helps children to feel valued and promotes their understanding of their community and the world around them.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• strengthen strategies to promote positive behaviour, so that all children are clear on the expectations for their behaviour and possible consequences of their actions
• review staff deployment, so children are consistently engaged in learning to achieve the best possible outcomes.